Mandurah City FC v Fremantle Utd

Match Report

Mandurah City’s amazing start to the 2015 season continued on Friday night at Hyundai Stadium with an emphatic 4-2 victory over Fremantle City in the Football West Night Series.

City have now won all three of their games, scoring nine goals and conceding just two as they face Kelmscott on Monday with another win guaranteeing a semi-final spot in the state cup competition.

But Mandurah coach Doug Hesketh says it is far too early to believe the club is a favourite for honours this season.

“It’s February and we have won nothing yet,” Hesketh said.There’s a long way to go. But we are beginning to put something together,.”

City’s early season form certainly suggests they will be challenging for honours and fans were again treated to a scintillating display of slick passing football in the defeat of a gallant Fremantle side.

Young Mandurah youngster Chris Chandler, who has spent the last ten months in Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth battling Leukemia, was the guest of honour at the game, given a hero’s welcome by the team in the dressing room before kick-off and leading the teams on to the field.

Against a strong Fremantle team, Hesketh made some changes to his starting lineup, giving Struan Herd his first team debut in goal, with skipper Andy Brown returning to replace the injured Craig Young.

Mark Glaughlin and Mandurah youngster Joe O’Brien were also give spots on the bench.

After numerous chances to take the lead, including a superb display from winger Abe Kcuono the Black and Whites broke down Freo’s resistance when a corner form Jordan Rhodes was saved and followed up by Jeff Bright.

City were then rocked by an equaliser from the visitors as the strong winds played havoc with the path of the ball.

It didn’t take long for the lead to be restored early in the second half when another great former, this time from Johnny Brookes, found the net from an Andy Brown header.

City pushed for a third but had to make changes when fullback Paul Jackson had to come off with injury, to be replaced by Reece Frank. That third goal came courtesy of another great Rhodes corner and this time Tcuono was there to score his second goal of the season with a powerful header at the back post.

Controlling play and looking to wrap up the game, Hesketh brought on Luke Johnstone and O’Brien up front – two lively young local strikers who will make names for themselves in this campaign.

The formation change unsettled the team and Fremantle pulled a late consolation goal back to make the score line 3-2 but there was still more excitement for another great Hyundai Stadium crowd,

A swift team play that saw five players move the ball from defence to attack started at the back with towering defender Ollie McGhee passing to Matt Stares, to Rhodes, to Lance Louvie with O’Brien capping off a fine came display with the fourth goal of the night.